Covetousness

Good Morning,

Exodus 20:17 “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s."

Deuteronomy 5:21 “Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour’s."

When we begin to consider covetousness, we need not go far before seeing the desire of the eyes causing great suffering.  In the Garden of Eden, we see Eve looking, desiring, and partaking of that which God forbade.

Genesis 3:6 “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”

What brought the world into condemnation?  A covetous eye.  When Abraham had a chance to gain great wealth for his victorious battle he refused to accept anything; wealth is not as important as righteousness.

Genesis 14:23 “That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich.” 

In an earlier lesson, Achan was addressed, and his confession revealed the evils of covetousness:

Joshua 7:21 “When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.”

What a tragic end to the life he faced – all due to covetousness!  

In a similar story, King Saul had been given very clear instruction regarding the battle before him, but instead of obeying God, he allowed everyone to enjoy the spoils – which was against the will of God.  Again, a tragic end followed because a carnal desire for material possessions rather than righteousness existed.

1 Samuel 15:19 “Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?”

God looks at covetousness as a competing deity.

Colossians 3:5 “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:”

God says covetousness is idolatry.  Something precious that motivates our actions, gold or silver that causes us to rearrange our lives, or the prospect of earthly gain that moves our family, realigns our values, or modifies our choices is a competing god!  Many who would never bow to a statue of Mary or Buddha have made themselves prostrate before success, houses, or lands in subservient devotion.

The materialistic diversions of this world catch our eyes and draw us after their pleasures. Being led away from God’s plan is easy; so David prayed for help to avoid following covetousness.

Psalm 119:36  “Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness."

Many a choice that would have been easy to make becomes more difficult when money is involved.  Many a relationship that was dear has been forsaken because earthly possessions entered the discussion.

I know a gracious Christian couple who got married after having each lost a spouse.  With meager earthly provisions, they were happy. Sometime later, one became heir to a rather large estate and their sweet relationship crumbled.   The love of money is surely the root of all kinds of evil deeds.  Countless family members have been separated over a contested will, and fighting begins over money – covetousness is a terrible vice! 

When a desire for material possessions overrules a love for people, suddenly people become merely merchandise to be used and abused, traded for earthly gain, or tossed away when they no longer carry value.  

2 Peter 2:3 “And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you…"

May we understand, through Calvary, that humanity is worth loving and even dying for.  It is this understanding that has driven missionaries to leave their homes and die in poverty in hopes that some lost soul might hear the story of Christ's love.  This love of mankind above earthly possession causes many businessmen to give away millions of dollars to the cause of Christ rather than to consume material possessions in their own lusts.  Covetousness sends souls to hell, breaks up homes, ruins churches, and defiles friendships.  

Allowing covetousness to dwell in one’s heart is to forfeit countless opportunities to honor God and will cause failure in fulfilling life's purpose.  

Pastor